The largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, stated that it restricted 281 accounts belonging to Nigerians in 2022 due to money laundering concerns.
The exchange said it also collaborated with the Federal Government to protect users from illicit activity.
This information was disclosed in a statement published on its website on Wednesday.
A few weeks ago, Binance announced its decision to stop naira-to-dollar exchange services following a fallout with Nigerian authorities, who had accused the platform of manipulating the country’s foreign exchange rate.
The exchange mentioned that its team visited Nigeria twice in the fourth quarter, conducting comprehensive law enforcement training sessions for officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
With over 30 investigators in attendance for each full-day session, Binance said it provided a detailed overview of its operations, training Nigerian law enforcement on the intricacies of exchanges in the digital asset ecosystem.
“During these sessions, various case studies were presented, including those involving suspects from Nigeria. The positive feedback received from Nigerian investigators underscored their strong desire to sustain this cooperative format, the platform noted.
“Binance’s financial crime compliance teams processed 626 information requests related to Nigeria or from local law enforcement agencies between June 2020 and February 2024.
“The Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and INTERPOL Nigeria were among the many organisations that benefited from the information we supplied in their efforts to combat crimes ranging from money laundering, kidnapping, extortion, and scams,” it said.
The exchange also conducted a three-hour online workshop for 70 EFCC officials in August 2023. The workshop’s main objectives were to interpret Binance’s operational responses and determine how best to use our help.
“We worked closely with the authorities to safeguard users from illegal activity in a well-publicised action that occurred in January 2022, restricting 281 accounts that belonged to Nigerian residents because of worries about money laundering,” it added.
The crypto exchange recognises Nigeria’s thriving fintech ecosystem, anticipating that nearly half of all investments in Africa from 2019 to 2023 will be directed to the country.
“Operating alongside established global players like Binance is deemed vital for the cohesive growth of this ecosystem, fostering a supportive environment for dynamic local startups,” the company noted.
Binance explained that collaboration with regulators and law enforcement in Nigeria would accelerate its financial technology adoption.
According to the exchange, the suggestion is to rely on top-tier partners with a proven track record of productive partnerships with both Nigerian and international authorities.
Looking ahead, Binance expressed eagerness to continue positive interactions, aiming to contribute to the prosperity of every Nigerian through ongoing collaboration and support for the nation’s fintech evolution.
A Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan, on Wednesday, dissolved the 14-year-old marriage between one John Akinwumi, a commercial driver, and his estranged wife, Toyin.
Akinwumi had pleaded with the court to put an end to his 14-year-old marriage with Toyin on grounds of alleged constant domestic violence and spiritual incompatibility.
He told the court, presided over by Mrs S.M. Akintayo, that his wife refused to take care of him, even when he was seriously ill.
Akinwumi said that a year after their marriage, things went so rough for him, while his wife suddenly changed, adding that they were always fighting as a result of the absence of love and affection.
He said that this was in spite of his estranged wife’s relatives assisting him to start a transport business.
Akinwumi, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve his marriage to the wife, as it was no longer working.
”My lord, all I need now is separation because the marriage is not working.
”I was okay before I met her, but it’s like we are not meant to be together,” he told the court.
Akinwumi, however, promised to give the two children, who are still staying with their mother, N25,000 as their monthly feeding allowance.
However, the respondent opposed the prayer for separation, adding that she still loved her husband.
She, was, however, silent on most of the allegations levelled against her.
”My lord, I still love Akinwumi. There is no reason for him to abandon me at this time.
”For almost a year now, he had left the children and me in penury.
”Akinwumi has not been catering for the children regularly, and the children are girls who need more attention,” she said.
Delivering judgment, Akintayo held that there was a valid traditional marriage between Akinwumi and Toyin due to the payment of bride price.
She said that there was nothing anyone could do since the petitioner said that he was no longer in love with the respondent.
Akintayo, therefore, pronounced the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent dissolved, while he ordered the duo to maintain peace.
He also granted the order restraining Toyin from harassing, threatening, and interfering with the personal life of the petitioner. (NAN)
Paul Alexander, a polio survivor known as the “man in the iron lung” has died aged 78, according to his family and a fundraising website.
Paul Alexander of Dallas, Texas contracted polio at the age of six. It left him paralyzed from the neck down and reliant on a mechanical respirator to breathe for much of the time.
Although often confined to his submarine-like cylinder, he excelled in his studies. Iron Lung Polio Paul Alexander earned a law degree, worked in the legal field and wrote a book.
“With a heavy heart I need to say my brother passed last night,” Philip Alexander posted on Facebook early Wednesday.
“It was an honor to be part of someone’s life who was as admired as he was.”
Christopher Ulmer, a disability advocate running a fundraiser for Alexander, also confirmed his death in a GoFundMe update posted on Tuesday.
“His story travelled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world. Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered,” said Ulmer.
A prior update on Alexander’s official TikTok account said he had been rushed to the emergency room after contracting COVID-19.
Iron lungs, the type Paul Alexander used, are sealed chambers fitted with pumps. Raising and lowering the pressure inside the chamber expands and contracts the patient’s lungs.
Invented in the 1920s, their use fell away after the invention of the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk. This became widely available in 1955 and helped consign the devastating paralytic illness to history.
Alexander held the official Guinness World Record for time spent in a lung.
According to his Guinness page, he was able to leave the device for periods of time. He could do this after he learned to “frog breathe” with the help of a physical therapist.
This involved “using his throat muscles to force air into his lungs, gulping down air one mouthful at a time.” Eventually, he only returned to his iron lung at night to sleep.
As a practicing lawyer, Iron Lung Polio Paul Alexander was able to represent clients in court in a special wheelchair that held his paralyzed body upright.
In 2020, he published his memoir, “Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung,” which took five years to complete, given that he wrote the manuscript while confined to the cumbersome contraption.
Iron Lung Polio Paul Alexander used a pen attached to a stick held in his mouth to write every word of the tome.
Seventy-five-year-old Martha Lillard of Shawnee, Oklahoma is reportedly the last surviving person in an iron lung
No Rule Permits Hisbah Police To Arrest Non-Muslims For Eating In Public During Ramadan – Bashir Ahmad
AFOLABI
Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, argues no rule in Islam prohibits non-Muslims from eating in public during the Ramadan fast.
In reaction to reports alleging that the Hisbah police warned non-muslims against eating in public during Ramadan, Ahmad further clarified that not eating in public during Ramadan fast could only be seen as a gesture of goodwill and respect.
Naija News reports that the former presidential aide further disclosed that Islam preaches respect and consideration for the beliefs of non-Muslims.
“It is important to note that no rule in Islam prohibits non-Muslims from eating in public during Ramadan. In fact, respect and consideration for others’ beliefs are highly valued in our religion. While non-Muslims living in a Muslim-majority community are NOT expected to fast during Ramadan, it is seen as a gesture of goodwill and respect for them to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours. This is simply out of consideration for the fasting Muslims around them, but it is not compulsory,” he wrote in a post on his official X account.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate re-opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with neighbouring Niger Republic.
According to a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu also directed the immediate lifting of other sanctions against the country.
The statement further explained that the President’s directives were in compliance with the resolution of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its last extraordinary meeting in Abuja.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.
“This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
“ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
“The President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately: Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
“Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as a freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
“Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD. Travel bans on government officials and their family members.”
President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has claimed that the attack on the North is being orchestrated by forces within and outside the country.
He stated this while reacting to the abduction of 61 people in Buda village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Tuesday.
Fani Kayode condemned the act, describing it as cowardly, condemnable and despicable.
He wondered who had decided to inflict Kaduna State and its people with troubles through the kidnap of their indigenes.
Speaking via his X account, Fani-Kayode wrote, “The attack and kidnapping of another 61 people in Buda Village, Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna State in the early hours of Tuesday is yet another cowardly, despicable and condemnable act.
“Four days ago, I wrote that this whole nightmare was being orchestrated by some dark and sinister forces from within and outside our country and that for our nation to have experienced 3 mass kidnappings and abductions of women and school children in the space of one week in three separate states in the North (namely Borno, Kaduna and Sokoto) was NO coincidence.
“Tuesday morning’s dastardly act makes it the fourth!
“Who is targeting the North and by extension Nigeria for destruction and who has decided to afflict the beautiful state of Kaduna and trouble its people and hardworking and diligent Governor just after he has established a bridge of peace, love and unity between Christians and Muslims in the state?
“Who seeks to rob us of our peace, who hates our people so much, who is trying to bring us to our knees and who wishes such ill for Nigeria?
“In the fullness of time, all these questions will be answered and those behind this great evil will be exposed and brought to justice.
“Once again my heart goes out to @ubasanius and the people of Kaduna state and I join millions of others in praying for them and boldly proclaiming that we shall overcome.”
Tobechukwu, the son of Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, has tied the knot with his partner.
Naija News recalls that the movie star in January announced the engagement of his son via her Instagram page, alongside photos of the proposal.
Omoni Oboli took to her Instagram page on Wednesday to share a photo of the wedding ceremony, stating that they had the most beautiful wedding with close family and friends.
She captioned the photo, “God did!!! It was a cold winter evening but it was very warm in our hearts We had the most beautiful wedding ever with close family and friends. Still reeling from the beauty of that day Thank you Jesus ❤️
Presenting the latest Mr and Mrs Oboli
“Welcome to our world @marelleoboli love you so much my baby girl PS: Thank you @wannebaybee for hooking me up with @pearls_bridals for my beautiful dress and @onyix_craft for my auto gèle and accessories more pictures and videos loading”
The Kano State Hisbah Board’s Department of Public Enlightenment has arrested 11 Muslims for eating during daylight hours, a time when fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims.
The arrests were made on Tuesday, as confirmed by Hisbah spokesman Lawal Fagge to the BBC.
The group consisted of 10 men and one woman, caught eating across different parts of the city, notably near bustling marketplaces.
The Hisbah Board, a religious police force in Kano State, Nigeria, enforces Sharia law among Muslims. The arrested individuals, including a woman selling and consuming groundnuts from her own stock, were reportedly released after they committed to abstain from eating during fasting hours for the remainder of Ramadan.
They were required to swear an oath to this effect, with some also needing their relatives or guardians to vouch for their future compliance.
This crackdown follows the announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, marking Monday, March 11, 2024, as the commencement of the 1445AH Ramadan.
During this period, Muslims are expected to fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations, among other prohibitions, to purify the soul and practice self-discipline as ordained in the Holy Quran.
Fagge emphasized that the board’s operations are targeted exclusively at Muslims, with non-Muslims exempt from these restrictions.
However, he issued a warning against non-Muslims selling food to those who are fasting, indicating that such actions would be deemed offensive.
A yet-to-be-identified woman residing in the Gbagada area of Lagos State reportedly met a tragic end after being fatally stabbed by her househelp.
Naija News reports that the househelp, identified only as Peter, is currently on the run, with the timing of the murderous act still unclear.
The sombre revelation came to light on Saturday, March 9, 2024, when the deceased’s son, visiting his mother, stumbled upon the harrowing scene.
According to reports from Vanguard, he found his mother’s lifeless body on the staircase, a sight marred by blood, signalling a violent struggle.
Reports detailed that the building was securely locked, indicating an absence of occupants after the incident. It was revealed that the victim lived alone, and the property also hosted three shops at the front.
A local, preferring to remain anonymous, detailed the chilling moment the woman’s son encountered the tragedy, highlighting the discovery of a long piece of wood nearby, suspected to be the murder weapon. Indications suggest that the murder might have occurred several days prior to the discovery, given the condition of the victim’s body.
Further investigations revealed that Peter, the accused househelp, had only been employed for a week before the incident. This raises questions about the vetting process and the safety of in-home workers. A relative of the agent responsible for Peter’s employment has been detained, and the agents themselves are currently evading authorities.
The aftermath of the discovery saw the involvement of the Ifako Police Division, who promptly evacuated the victim’s body from the scene. Efforts to garner statements from the devastated son were unsuccessful, as he was understandably overwhelmed by grief.
Divisional Police Officer, DPO Owolabi Sefunmi, of the Ifako Police Division, directed inquiries to the Lagos State Police Command for further comments. The Lagos State Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the suspect had been apprehended and is now in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCIID, Panti, ensuring that justice is pursued rigorously.
The Lagos State Police Command has debunked a report alleging that Afro singer Ibrahim Owodunni, aka Primeboy, was re-arrested over the death of his colleague, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Reports had earlier emerged indicating that Primeboy was re-arrested on Tuesday during his visit to the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, Yaba.
DAILY POST reports that Primeboy, who was earlier arrested following the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death a few months ago, has been visiting the SCID every week since the commencement of the investigation.
A report which went viral on Tuesday alleged that he was re-arrested and detained by the Lagos police command during his Tuesday visit.
However, when contacted on Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the report as false.
He told DAILY POST that the singer was allowed to go home on Tuesday to report back on Wednesday (today).
In a chat with our correspondent, the PPRO simply said the report is “False. He was allowed to go home and report back today.”
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The federal government has intensified its scrutiny of Binance, requesting detailed information on its top 100 users in Nigeria and their transaction history over the past six months. This move comes amidst ongoing investigations into allegations of currency speculation, which have been unfolding for the past three weeks.
Binance finds itself at the center of these investigations, facing allegations of involvement in speculative attacks against the Naira, which has recently experienced unprecedented volatility against major currencies, particularly the Dollar, due to currency devaluation concerns.
According to reports from the Financial Times, the Office of the National Security Adviser has also demanded that Binance settle any outstanding tax obligations owed to the federal government arising from its operations within the country.
Nigeria’s focus on Binance and other cryptocurrency platforms stems from its efforts to mitigate its worst economic crisis in three decades and restore public confidence in its currency, which has faced significant challenges.
Gumi Urges Tinubu to Pursue Dialogue with Bandits, Avoiding Buhari’s Approach
In response to these allegations, security agencies, in collaboration with officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), have taken action, including blocking web access to cryptocurrency exchanges and detaining two Binance executives who traveled to Abuja to discuss the crackdown.
As a result of the escalating situation, Binance has removed the Naira from its trading platform.
Reports suggest that the detained Binance executives are being held at a guest house in Abuja, adjacent to the office of the national security adviser. Their phones and passports were confiscated upon detention. They could not communicate with Binance until March 5, 2024, a week after their detention, and have yet to be formally charged in court.
According to the Financial Times, the federal government obtained permission to detain both Binance executives for 14 days, which ended on Tuesday.
The crackdown on Binance follows ongoing investigations into the country’s foreign exchange market, which has reportedly suffered from years of distortions, manipulations, and speculative activities, leading to the continuous depreciation of the Naira against major currencies, especially the US dollar, in recent times.
At the recently concluded meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), CBN Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso justified the central bank’s actions, particularly against Binance, citing the platform’s facilitation of speculative activities against the Naira. He expressed concerns about illicit inflows and suspicious transactions, emphasizing the CBN’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians from the disruptive activities of such cryptocurrency platforms.
Cardoso highlighted collaborative efforts between the CBN, EFCC, police, and the Office of the NSA to crack down on alleged economic saboteurs, stressing the determination to maintain market integrity and prevent manipulative practices that distort economic stability.
Fifteen passengers comprising women and children went missing in an attack on an 18-seater bus heading from Zaki/Biam in Benue State to Maihura in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, on Tuesday.
The heavily armed men suspected to be Vigilante Group attacked the bus at Gamkwe Village, located at Maraban-Baisa in Donga Local Government Area of the state.
The driver of the bus, Mr. Mpuuga Mbaave who escaped the scene of the incident with machete wounds, while speaking with our correspondent on phone, said the armed Vigilante Group were in large numbers with guns, machetes and other light arms.
“I loaded 18 passengers from Zaki/Biam. Immediately after Maraba, I saw many people in Vigilante Group uniforms, they were many, I suspected something was wrong, I then stopped but one of the villagers told me that I should go saying two members of the Vigilante Group were killed by kidnappers, that was why they gathered, that there is no problem, I should proceed.
“As I moved closer, some of the Vigilante Group started shouting, kill all of them. It’s their people that killed our members, they started attacking the passengers and cutting them with machetes.
“They removed all of us, forced us to lie facedown, my bus was still on. When I discovered that it was getting out of hands, I decided to jump up to the bus and left the passengers, my conductor also followed me, all of us were cut with machetes and blood was rushing out of our bodies, that was how we escaped and left the passengers in their hands,” Mpuuga recounted.
The Chairman of Doonga Local Government Council, Hon. Ezra Voka confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP on phone, saying he was already in the nearby forest in search of the victims.
“Please my friend, I’m already in the bush in search for the missing people, we can’t talk much now till when I get more information from here,” Voka said.
Full List: Siasia, Amuneke, Okpala, Nine Others Who Submitted Application For Super Eagles Job
AFOLABI
Samson Siasia and Emmanuel Amuneke were among those who met the deadline for submitting application letters to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the vacant post of head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles.
Naija News reports that the Super Eagles coaching job application was open until yesterday, March 12th.
Recall that the NFF had publicized an advert seeking a passionate and experienced coach with a winning mentality.
The ideal candidate would have experience managing at the highest level, with a proven track record of success. Knowledge of African football was a plus, but not mandatory.
The Super Eagles coaching position was declared vacant just last week following former gaffer, Jose Peseiro‘s contract expiration at the end of February 2024.
Reports emerging on Wednesday morning revealed that at least twelve coaches beat the deadline for submitting application letters yesterday.
According to Vanguard, among those who successfully submitted their applications to the NFF are the former head coach of Tanzania’s senior men’s team, Taifa Stars, and the ex-coach of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, Emmanuel Amuneke. Finidi George, who was Peseiro’s assistant coach, and former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh also submitted applications.
Others who filed their applications before the deadline are Samson Siasia, former Super Eagles head coach whose FIFA ban will soon be lifted, Sylvanus Okpala, ex-Super Eagles assistant coach under the late Stephen Keshi, and Michael Nsien, ex-USA U-16 team coach of Nigerian descent.
The Federal Government has invited memoranda from the public as it begins the probe of private universities established in the last 15 years.
The Federal Government initiated the probe following an investigative report by Daily Nigerian journalist, Umar Audu, uncovering certificate racketeering in neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.
Checks by The PUNCH showed that no fewer than 107 private universities were established in the last 15 years.
The Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling set up by the Federal Government would be examining “whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in place prescribed facilities, appropriate management structure, adequate funding of programmes, requisite state, and nature of the staff – full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting and other types.”
The committee, in an advertorial published in The PUNCH of Tuesday, noted that the probe was “without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission.”
“Memoranda from the general public are, therefore, solicited to provide information to the committee to help it make appropriate recommendations to address the menace in line with its terms of reference,” the committee said.
In his investigative report published late last year, Daily Nigerian journalist Audu had narrated how he obtained a degree within six weeks from Benin Republic and even proceeded to embark on the mandatory youth service under the National Youth Service Corps scheme in the country.
Reacting, the Federal Government, on January 9, 2024, said it would launch an investigation into private universities established in the last 15 years.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made this known in Abuja while inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Committee on fake degrees and activities of degree mills in the country.
The Committee Chairman, Jibrila Amin, noted that the inter-ministerial committee would “Review the role of any MDA or its officials (including identifying such officials) in the facilitation of the recognition and procurement of the fake certificate in question.”
The committee will also”examine the rules, procedures and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education; Establish if unapproved foreign institutions (Degree Mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever form with their identities and locations if any.”
It is expected to “make appropriate recommendations for review of any rules, procedures, and processes to prevent re-occurrence and sanctions for identified erring officials.
“Make other recommendations that will strengthen the system of recognition, accreditations and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria and examine the extant rules, procedures and processes for granting provisional licenses to new universities by the National Universities Commission.”